Theatre of Gadsden to present Christie mystery

Cast members in Theatre of Gadsden’s production of “And Then There Were None” include, standing, from left, Anthony Guffey, Bret Fletcher, Dennis Nunnelly, Derek York, Lewis Fuller and
Delilah Houk; on the floor, Andrew Fuller; and kneeling, Molly Hill. (Special to The Times)

Times Staff Report

Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 6:57 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 7:01 p.m.

The Theatre of Gadsden will kick off its new season with Dame Agatha Christie’s murder mystery “And Then There Were None.”

Show dates at the Ritz Theatre are Jan. 25 and 26 and Feb. 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., and Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 matinees at 2:30 p.m.

“It has been several years since TOG did a true mystery, so we decided to do ‘And Then There Were None,” Director Michael Sweetin said in an email. “It’s a classic.”

Ten strangers are lured to a remote island estate, with eight guests arriving at the play’s start to join the husband and wife caretaker couple who arrived a few days earlier.

They soon discover all have been invited under mysterious circumstances, and none has ever met the host, Mr. Owen, who is not there.

Via a recorded message, however, he accuses all 10 of having caused the deaths of innocent people.

Then one guest is murdered, and another, as a pattern develops.

The murders correspond to the “Ten Little Soldiers” nursery rhyme, and with each death one of 10 soldier figurines on the mantel turns up smashed or missing.